Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 05:17:17 EDT
From: DHSandstorm@aol.com
Subject: Like This All Along - Part 2
This part was more difficult, and I had to cut a few things out until Part
3.
Like This All Along - Part 2
The year had been going by so quickly for everyone. For some, this
was the last year they would see their friends before they went off to one
of their last destinations: high school. Many had hopes and dreams for
making this a perfect year, but not everyone's went so well.
Throughout the year, Dirk had caused pain to all 15 students he
tormented for various reasons. Most of it was people mocking his Northern
background, which included several of the popular students. Pat never
stopped trying to get Dirk to like him, even going as far to send his
friends to put in good words about him.
Dirk remained unflinching in his dislike for Pat. It was clear to
everyone at their school that Dirk was able to hold severe grudges towards
anyone who disliked Northern students. He harbored a dislike for
Southerners already, but it was amplified by the ignorance in many people
he came into contact with.
As the last quarter of their middle school lives began, things
began changing. At this point, everyone knew what high school they would
go to depending on what programs they were interested in. Since Dirk had
always been strong in mathematics and science, so he chose the Academy of
Mathematical Integrity and Scientific Inquiry. Pat chose the same school,
but he wasn't as strong in math. Instead, he chose to go in for the
International Baccalaureate program, which was considered to be the
ultimate in prepping students for college.
It seemed to everyone that Dirk was calmer as the end of the year
approached. He no longer had to put as much effort into his classes. He
had already earned himself the highest possible course recommendations for
any incoming freshman at his high school. At this point, the party boy in
him was taking over. He began relaxing more; he lessened up on pretty much
everyone.
During Algebra I on the first day of April, Pat knew he had to try
to get Dirk to accept him before the end of the school year. He knew humor
was one of his many personality traits that gave most people reason to like
him.
"So Dirk, I hear you are going into Trig when we get to high
school. That sounds really hard. Obviously you are completely left
brain," Laurel asked.
"Well, I took this class. I also did Geometry in place of an
elective and I took Algebra II after school, so yeah, they are putting
several of us in Trigonometry," Dirk replied.
"Isn't Trig like Geometry?" Pat asked, trying to ease his way into
his first conversation with Dirk for the day.
"Almost completely. There is some algebra, but mostly it's
identities that prepare you for Precalculus," Dirk replied.
"So you really don't want to have a life, do you?" Laurel asked.
"That's what you get for being gifted. You are not allowed to have
a life no matter how fly you are," Dirk answered with a smile.
"Well that's why the world is full of lazy Mexicans, blacks and
just overall lazy people. You know you could always just go to the beach
and be like `dude' all day long," Pat said, trying to mock his studious
behavior.
For once, he got Dirk to laugh. He studied every part of him as he
laughed; the vein that ran along the left side of his forehead pumped out,
and his teeth seemed to sparkle more. What he noticed most of all was the
tone of the laugh - it was so free. In some ways it seemed so nerdy, yet
so cool and casual at the same time. As he continued to laugh along and
study Dirk, he knew Ms. Cruz would have something to say.
"This is a workday, so I encourage you not to distract everyone
around you," Ms. Cruz said, "however, you three can go to the lunchroom to
work. They have people there to watch you."
"Sure," Dirk said. "We don't have anything else to do except the
Chapter 14 homework?"
"Correct," Ms. Cruz said as she wrote a single pass for all three
of them. "Please try not to be too troublesome for the lunch ladies."
The three of them walked down to the lunch room and spent the rest
of that period, completely chatting it up. It excited Pat that Dirk would
actually talk to him now like a person. Surprisingly, Dirk had treated
Laurel as if he'd known her forever, which was her main goal since she had
been very interested. If not for Dirk's bookish nature during most of the
school day, she would question his inability to realize how obvious she was
about her attraction towards him.
Dirk was still not fully receptive to Pat, despite now welcoming
him into his conversations with Laurel. Even though Dirk now responded to
him, he was not fully willing to accept him as a friend yet. This was
starting to change, since Dirk began directly addressing him the next day
and even started conversations with him. To Pat, this was what he had been
waiting for since that first day in October when he met this intriguing
guy. He was amazed by his genius, which he proved through the science fair
that year. Most of all, Pat loved appearance and personality, which his
crush definitely had.
Throughout the year, both of them have grown physically, and
clearly mentally. Both of them were now 5'8" and they had both put on
about 10 pounds. Essentially, it looked better on Dirk because of his
athletic form. Pat still remained a fairly average boy as far as physical
strength.
By the beginning of May, Dirk and Pat had become pretty good
friends. Even though Pat was primarily the one putting himself out there,
he now felt close to his ultimate goal of being involved with Dirk
sexually. Still, he was not sure if he should approach Dirk with his
intentions.
Despite the fact that Pat was not a completely analytical person,
he still had to decide if Dirk could potentially be sexually involved with
another guy. He first analyzed his appearance, which was very pleasing to
many. Despite being so naturally attractive, he really did not take much
care of himself. He probably woke up in the morning, showered and put some
clothes on. The next thing he analyzed was his nature, which included his
intellect. Dirk was a genius, mostly at anything highly logical. Despite
being very studious, there was nothing to suspect that Dirk could be gay or
even bisexual.
Even though Dirk was extremely intelligent and sometimes nerdy
during conversations, he still proved to be extremely popular. Considering
all the money his family had, he was fairly level headed. He never talked
down to anyone simply because of their background, and he did try to get to
know his peers and make friends. However, people still resented the
`Northern 16', primarily due to the fact that no matter how hard anyone
tried, they would never be able to be fully with them.
When the last two weeks approached, it was yearbook time. Pat had
been one of many on the Yearbook Club, and was a major contributor as a
photographer and typist. He had delivered books to many of the people in
his classes.
Pat received his batch before school, and began passing them out
during Advanced Science. As he walked over to the table with some of the
`Northern 16', they all got out their receipts. Pat passed them out, but
when he walked over to Dirk, he got an unexpected response.
"Here you go Dirk. One crisp new yearbook. I already unwrapped it
for you, just because you're a good friend," Pat said, smiling to Dirk, who
was looking up at him.
"Go ahead and give it back to me during Advanced English. I know
I've been a bastard to you most of the year, but I hope we've become
friends these last few months," Dirk said, looking kindly into Pat's eyes
and smiled.
"Okay. Sure," Pat said as he continued to pass out yearbooks. He
could tell Lindsay was upset about this. All he heard were things relating
to "I've been close to you since we were 4" and "I should get first rights
and if I want to take up the whole book, I can." Clearly, Lindsay was
turning into a control freak.
At this point, Pat was starting to get a clue that Dirk may have a
method to his madness. Despite being extremely mean to him at the
beginning of the year, he started realizing one obvious fact: Dirk has a
mouth and he loves to use it.
Pat was starting to figure out exactly what he wanted. He wanted
to have fun all the way through his school years, which included
establishing a connection with someone who could intrigue him in every way.
He was still a gay boi inside, who loved sexy bodies; however, he also
enjoyed a unique personality and attitude. Even as things were getting
much better between the two of them, Pat was starting to realize that the
chances of a relationship with a guy like Dirk were almost non-existent.
This didn't upset him much though. He just wanted the connection,
and he was starting to desire someone to talk to about all his feelings.
He knew he didn't want to end up damaged for keeping everything inside. He
considered his best friend, Travis, and decided to use him as a confident,
knowing full well it put him at great risk.
It was during 2nd period Technology class that Pat knew he had to
pull his friend aside to tell him what's been going on. The two of them
sat at the work station, and things went as usual. They talked and joked
with their other friends in the class, which annoyed the teacher but they
didn't care.
"Trav, I need to talk to you about something kind of uncomfortable.
Do you think we can go somewhere," Pat asked, looking nervously into
Travis' eyes.
"Sure. We've finished everything in here," Travis said, then
turning to their teacher and shouting, "Mr. Gilbert, Pat and I have
finished everything. Can we go to the lunch room to talk about dude's
stuff?"
"I'll write you a pass," Mr. Gilbert said, without asking exactly
what. They received some cracks from their peers, but it wasn't anything
to bad.
The walk to the lunch room was a little awkward for Pat, but Travis
had no idea what to expect. After they dropped the pass off to the lunch
lady, they found a booth that was far away from people and sat down. Pat
sat across from Travis, and was almost jittery.
"Pat, I've noticed you are a lot more nervous lately. So, I came
to two conclusions. You are on drugs or you have feelings for someone.
So, which is it?" Travis asked. Looking at Pat very concerned; he had
never seen his friend get jittery over anyone or anything.
"Trav, I know your parents have the whole conservative thing going
on, but I need you to not freak out when I tell you this," Pat said, having
trouble facing his friend.
"I'm not completely like them, and you know you can tell me
anything, dude," Travis said, smiling a little at his long time pal.
"I've had feelings for someone since the beginning of this school
year, and I'm petrified to tell them for fear of losing our brand new
friendship. I've never felt like this for anyone before," Pat said,
crossing his arms.
"Okay, so why don't you go for it. Is it someone like Trish,
because you know I can put in a good word for you," Travis said, kidding
around.
"I've been having feelings for a guy. Okay?" Pat said, starting to
shake a little, but holding his glance with Travis more.
"Woah, I did not expect that. Pat, you do not act like some little
bitch. You are just one of us, how can you be gay or anything like that?"
Travis asked.
"I don't know. I've had feelings for guys since last year, but I
haven't wanted to really do anything until they moved here in October," Pat
said, starting to sweat a little.
"Is it Dirk Heinz?" Travis asked, pondering who Pat might be
talking about. He hadn't paid much attention, but he had noticed some
surprising kindness from his friend to a bully.
"Yeah. I like that guy a lot and I've spent the entire year trying
to at least be his friend. I don't expect much," Pat said.
"Have you ever had feelings for me?" Travis asked, "because I've
been your friend since 4th grade and it would be nice to know if you like
any of your true friends."
"I liked you until I met Dirk. Then I went all ga-ga inside for
him. I've never told anyone this, so are you going to keep it a secret
Trav?" Pat said, extremely jittery now and shaking all over.
"Pat, calm down. It's good. I don't really get how you can like
someone who is mean to you, or a guy for that matter, but I'm not losing my
buddy over this stupid crap," Travis said as he put a hand on Pat's
forearm.
"So, we're okay then," Pat asked, starting to perk up a bit more
now that the hard part was over.
"Yeah. We aight. I'll keep my mouth shut. Now give me a hug
before we go back to class. I'm no fairy, but this is one of those times,"
Travis said as he stood up and extended his arms for his friend.
"Thanks Trav. You're my savior right now. I thought I was going
to burst with guilt," Pat said as he stood up and gave his friend a hug.
"Well, you can talk to me about anything. Just don't go into all
the details if you want to talk about having butt sex with him. I'm not up
for that yet buddy," Travis said, walking back to class with his friend.
"That's no prob, T," Pat said, wrapping an arm around his buddy's
shoulders. At this point, he knew he had to make the last two weeks really
count if he ever hoped to have established a good friendship with Dirk
Heinz. He knew there was a chance that his life could be ruined if Travis
told anyone, and that he may never see Dirk again after their lives in
junior high ended, but he still had to make the best of it all.
Send any criticism or praise to DHSandstorm@aol.com.